A special podcast series focused on this year’s Vero SME Index report has published its second episode.

The recording, which you can listen to here, compares attitudes towards insurance and brokers at larger and smaller businesses.

Hosted by Insurance News MD Andrew Silcox, the episode taps into the expertise of National Manager at Lockton Australia Tony Meakin and Executive Manager Commercial Underwriting at Vero Corinne Richardson.

The Index shows that large businesses report a 96% satisfaction rate with brokers and, while SMEs are increasingly supportive of their relationship with their broker, their satisfaction rate is 14% lower.

“Expertise” is the reason 87% of large businesses give for using a broker, compared to just 65% of SMEs.

Mr Meakin says all businesses should tap into broker expertise.

“But you'd be surprised that so many buyers are left with off the shelf products and solutions and when it comes to claims, they're either really difficult to navigate, or just plainly not fit for purpose.”

The Index found 39% of large businesses reported no contact with their broker in the past year, compared to 28% for SMEs – something which surprised Ms Richardson.

“We know communication is key in building client relationships. So, a 12-month window with no contact in any industry is surprising.”

Produced by insuranceNEWS.com.au in association with Vero, the series will feature two more episodes, focusing on claims, and managing risks. Episode one was about broker value, and can be listened to here.